Bob Hanner, former Georgia House of Representatives member, passes away

ATLANTA — Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, issued a statement Wednesday on the passing of former state Rep. Bob Hanner of Parrott.

“With the passing of former State Representative Bob Hanner, Georgia has lost a great leader, southwest Georgia has lost a tireless advocate and I have lost a dear friend,” Ralston said. “Bob Hanner served in the Georgia House of Representatives for some 38 years. His legacy of service is one that will stand the test of time. He served with integrity, compassion and dignity.

“Georgia’s agricultural community had no better friend. Bob Hanner was a good and honorable man, and I will miss him very much. The prayers of my family and I go out to his wife, Linda, and their children.”

Hanner, a Republican, served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1975 until 2013. He represented District 148, which includes several communities in southwest Georgia in Chattahoochee, Quitman, Lee, Terrell, Webster and Stewart counties.

Hanner left office as a member of the House Appropriations and Rules committees and as secretary of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment as well as the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

Hanner was a graduate of both Gordon Military and Southwestern Colleges. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard in Vietnam from 1967 until the following year. Professionally, he worked as an estate planner and dealt with employee benefits, specifically with insurance.

His community and civic involvement included membership in the Mason, P.T. Schley Lodge #229, the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce and past director of the United States Jaycees.

Jennifer Parks